Afghan Jirga calls for national support to administration, int'l recognition

Kabul, July 3 The Jirga, or grand assembly of religious scholars and elders, has urged for national support to the Taliban-run "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan" and international recognition of the administration.

"The establishment of Islamic system in Afghanistan which is the outcome of more than four decades of sacrifices and suffering of our people has ensured justice, peace and security in the country, and deserved support and we not only support but also defend it as our religion and national obligation," said a resolution issued at the end of the three-day meeting on Saturday.

Nearly 3,500 religious leaders and elders, according to officials, had been invited from across the war-torn country to attend the Jirga or grand assembly, which opened on Thursday and concluded on Saturday evening.

The resolution also called on Afghans to renew allegiance to Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, supreme leader of the Taliban-run administration, and implementation of Sharia or Islamic laws in the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

It also called for mutual respect and coexistence with neighbouring countries, and in the regional and the world at large, stressing that "the Afghan soil won't be used against any country and Afghanistan also won't allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs".

The participants also described Daesh or the rival Islamic State outfit as "insurgent, terrorist", noting cooperation with the group is against Islamic laws. The resolution said any armed opposition against the Islamic establishment is a breach of Islamic laws and regarded as rebellion.

It also supported the administration's ban on poppy plantation and drug production and its smuggling, noting that poppy cultivation, drug production and its trafficking are against Islamic teaching.

The Jirga opened in the absence of women representatives and concluded without hinting at reopening schools for girls above grade six and women's right to work outside home.

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